AFC Wimbledon's Nicholson makes a different point

Jake Nicholson is not an author, but he could easily pen a novel about his time as a footballer, and that’s not even including being at the centre of a points deduction furore at AFC Wimbledon.

In three years, Nicholson has gone from playing in the Europa League with Tottenham Hotspur to fighting for a contract extension at the Dons.

He has started a family and went 10 months without a club or a pay packet.

His big chance at Spurs ended two weeks into a two-year contract when he tore a cartilage in his hip.

He spent four months north of the border at Greenock Morton, flying home twice a week to see his fiance and daughter.

Now, back living with his two favourite girls in Leatherhead and playing at Dons, his career is getting back on track.

However, after scoring on his Dons debut against Cheltenham, the Football League are calling into question whether he should have even been on the pitch in the first place.

All this, and he is still just 21-years-old.

He said: “I could write a book about my life so far. But I don’t think I would have been where I am today without my fiance Rosie. And my daughter Isabella is a joy. She’s my world.”

He is not envious of players he grew up with at Tottenham, such as Andros Townsend and Steven Caulker, both playing regularly in the Premier League and with eyes on this summer’s World Cup with England. He believes he’s in a good place.

“I think everyone’s on a different path in life,” he said.

“You’ve just got to focus wherever you are, and try to be the best you can be and rewards will come.

“Wimbledon’s a great club. They’ve got a big history. You don’t know in the leagues, next season we could get promoted and then you’re in League One and then maybe the Championship in three years, so you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

False dawn: Jake Nicholson's career at Spurs was over two weeks into a two-year contract

Nicholson joined up with Neal Ardley’s squad in February after a short trial period and he hopes to do enough to convince the manager he is worth an extended deal.

He made his first start against Southend United, and played 45 minutes against Newport County on Friday, but was an unused substitute as Wimbledon made certain of their League Two status against Plymouth Argyle on Monday.

“The ideal situation would be for me to stay here,” he added.

“And that’s gospel. I can settle here. I’ve been away in Scotland, being away from my kid for four months and missing her, so here is ideal.

“I just want to be at a club where I can get my head down, and learn all the ropes of League football.

“You’re going to have off days, but I’m young, and it’s about learning from your mistakes.

“You’ve got to deal with any situation you’re in, and right now I’m happy.

“My objective is not money and stuff like that, obviously money helps but my focus is just to play football.”

Dons host Morecambe this weekend, before completing their league commitments at Accrington Stanley in a fortnight.

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